Meet The Faculty

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Mayo Clinic is one of the largest groups in this specialty in the world. The department handles more than 80,000 patient visits a year and performs approximately:
- 2,000 head and neck surgical procedures
- 1,800 otologic surgical procedures
- 1,000 outpatient operative procedures
- 1,500 rhinologic and sinus procedures
The department performs all of its own reconstructive surgery.
At Mayo Clinic, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology is divided into experts in the specialties of:
- Otology and neurotology
- Head and neck cancer surgery
- Pediatric otorhinolaryngology
- Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Rhinology and skull base surgery
- Laryngology
- General otorhinolaryngology
- Sleep surgery
Department members collaborate with other specialists in audiology, speech and swallowing therapy, ophthalmology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, dermatology, allergy and immunology, pulmonary medicine, and oncology. Through this collaboration, the department offers comprehensive and excellent care for pediatric and adult patients with disorders involving the head and neck.
From the program director
Clinically, we have close collaboration with other departments including Neurosurgery, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Oculoplastic Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dermatology, Allergy, and the Center for Sleep Medicine. Academically, we have access to both clinical and bench research including support staff aiding our team members through the research process. For surgical training, we have access to a state-of-the-art temporal bone lab, robotic training, microvascular training, and easy and unlimited access to cadavers for surgical dissection. Mayo Clinic provides an abundance of resources in the clinical and academic realms.
Residents enjoy our program and become a tight-knit group that supports each other through both the demanding and rewarding aspects of residency. They often plan social events and extracurricular activities to foster relationships and community. Our department happily supports resident-organized activities, such as outings to sporting events, day trips to local ski resorts, or laser tag matches. Each year residents and their significant others can take part in a canoeing and backpacking trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Additionally, they have the opportunity to go to academic conferences throughout the year and at least one international trip during residency. We aim to support our residents in their passions and provide resources to maintain wellness.
Mayo Clinic is a renowned institution. We continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of patient care and are grateful for a dedicated team that helps make this happen. We are excited to recruit trainees who have a passion for Otolaryngology and desire to contribute to the health and well-being of patients in both tertiary and community care settings and continue to make this the best training program in the country.
Thank you for visiting our website. We are so glad you are interested in our department and program.
Janalee Stokken, M.D.
Program Director
From the associate program director
Our department works hard to create a positive learning environment that values residents from all backgrounds. The strong "patient first" culture is embedded into every aspect patient care, research, and education, making this a truly one of a kind place to work and train. Yet despite all of its traditions, both institution and department wide, we continually push to find innovative ways to educate in and out of the operating room, and for that I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing institution.
Semirra Bayan, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Faculty
In addition to caring for patients in their clinical practices, Mayo Clinic's faculty members are committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are well-regarded in their fields. Residents have direct access to these individuals throughout the training program.
Learn about the faculty you may work with in each specialty area of otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic.
Facial Plastics/Reconstructive Surgery
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Grant Hamilton, III, M.D. |
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Michael Olson, M.D. See my research: PubMed |
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Jacob Dey, M.D. Fellowship: Johns Hopkins Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery See my research: PubMed |
Head and Neck Surgery
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Eric Moore, M.D. Fellowship: Mayo Foundation Scholar See my research: Publications |
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Daniel Price, M.D. Fellowship: Memorial Sloan-Ketterling See my research: Publications |
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Sharon Libi, M.D. Residency: Mayo Clinic Rochester See my research: Publications |
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Fareeda Taher Nazer Hussain, M.D. Residency: University of Minnesota |
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Kendall Tasche, M.D. Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania See my research: PubMed |
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Katie Van Abel, M.D. Fellowship: Mayo Clinic |
Laryngology
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Dale Ekbom, M.D. Fellowship: Vanderbilt University See my research: PubMed |
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Semirra Bayan, M.D. Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital |
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Diana Orbelo, Ph.D. Post doctoral fellowship: Mayo Clinic Rochester See my research: Publications |
Otology/Neurotology
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Matthew Carlson, M.D. Fellowship: Vanderbilt University See my research: Publications |
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Colin Driscoll, M.D. Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco See my research: Publications |
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Brian Neff, M.D. Fellowship: Ohio State University See my research: Publications |
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Gayla Poling, Ph.D. Post doctoral fellowship: Medical University of South Carolina; Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders See my research: Publications |
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Aniket Saoji, Ph.D. Undergraduate: All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, India See my research: Publications |
Pediatric Otolaryngology
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Shelagh Cofer, M.D. Fellowship: University of Minnesota |
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Laura Orvidas, M.D. Fellowship: Dana Thompson, M.D., M.S. See my research: PubMed |
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Joshua Wiedermann, M.D. Fellowship: Victoria Hospital, Western University |
Rhinology
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Janalee Stokken, M.D. Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic |
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Erin O'Brien, M.D. Fellowship: University of Nebraska |
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Garret Choby, M.D. Fellowship: Stanford University See my research: Publications |
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Carlos Pinheiro Neto, M.D., Ph.D. Fellowship: University of Sao Paulo, Brazil - SOM See my research: Publications |
View the complete list of otolaryngology consultants at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States.
View a complete list of all of our otolaryngology consultants that you may work with while training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Advisers and mentors
Each resident is assigned a staff mentor to review progress and career goals. Mentors meet with trainees periodically throughout the entire residency program to ensure that their educational needs are being met.
Visiting professors
The Voices in Otolaryngology Visiting Professorship is dedicated to highlighting forward-thinking work being done in our field and improving career advancement and networking opportunities for practicing academic otolaryngologists who are traditionally underrepresented in otolaryngology. This event is held three times per year, with one in-person event in the fall and two Zoom events in November and February.